Strictly star Jaime Winstone reveals huge pop star pushed her to sign up for show after chance meeting at celeb party

ACTRESS Jaime Winstone is ready to tango on Strictly Come Dancing — and it’s all thanks to pop icon Taylor Swift. Jaime finally took the plunge after a chance encounter with the Look What You Made Me Do singer at a celebrity party. Jaime Winstone is ready to show off her moves on Strictly Credit: BBC Taylor Swift pushed the star to sign up for the dance competition Credit: Getty Dazzled by the Made In Dagenham star’s dance moves, Taylor made a beeline for Jaime to compliment her on her talent. And it pushed Jaime, 41, to say “yes” to the show after turning down previous approaches. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Jaime spoke out as she and her fellow celebrities donned their sparkles and smiles to give a first look at this year’s line-up, The mum of two, who played EastEnders legend Peggy Mitchell in a throwback special, explained why this year was ideal for her to take part. She said: “I’ve been asked to go on Strictly before and I’ve always been working and busy or being a full-on mum, but I turned 40 last year and I’ve really got to just lean into this moment. “There were some clear signs that this should be my year, one be Madonna’s new album and its track with the lyrics ‘everybody get up and dance’. “I took that as a personal sign as I’m such a huge Madonna fan there’s not a room in my house without a disco ball! “Another very clear sign came when I went to my friend Poppy Delevingne’s birthday party a few months back, and Taylor Swift was there! I was just dancing, as I do, and she came up to me out of nowhere and just said, ‘Oh my lord, how do you dance so freely?’. When someone of her calibre and status says that, it’s a clear sign!” Most read in TV The full Strictly lineup Credit: BBC Jaime explained why this year was ideal for her to take part Credit: Getty Images – Getty Joining Jaime to challenge for the coveted Glitterball trophy this year is reality star Dani Dyer, 30 – back after injuring herself before the live shows last series. She’ll be raising the glamour stakes alongside Aussie singer Delta Goodrem, 41, EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia, 28, Gavin & Stacey favourite Melanie Walters, 64, Olympian champion skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, and Paralympic gold medal cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, 48. Also shimmying in sequins will be hairstylist to the stars Chris Appleton, 43, footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, last year’s Love Island winner Cach Mercer, 25 and Big Brother host Will Best, 41. Joining them will be telly dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, sports YouTuber John Nellis, 33, and Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, 34. This year’s series will be the first without hosts Claudia Winkleman, 54, and Tess Daly, 57, who quit last year. Taking the reins in the new-look return are TV presenter Emma Willis, 50, comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and professional dancer Johannes Radebe, 39. They will also welcome five new pros after clearing out veterans Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Luba Mushtuk. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return as judges. Jaime, daughter of hardman actor Ray Winstone says she can’t wait to show fans a different side to her. She said: “I love dancing. “I’ve done every sort of gritty drama you can and usually play people quite a lot older than me. “I thought it was time to step into a realm I don’t know, the ballroom, and give it a good go.” Jaime, who is known to many for her roles in hard-hitting films Kidulthood and Donkey Punch, added: “If you’re going to do one, this is the most joyous, sparkly, and challenging one to do. Oh, and another big reason is my Nan! My Nan is going to lose her marbles over this! My mum screamed too! She loves it.” Jaime played soap legend Peggy Mitchell in a throwback special Credit: PA With actor dad Ray Credit: Splash But her dad’s been less enthusiastic. She said: “He was kind of lik, ‘Oh my lord’, but everybody’s very, very excited. Her dad’s been less enthusiastic. She said: “He was kind of like, ‘Oh my lord’, but everybody’s responded like ‘You’re going to win it!’ “The blind confidence of family and friends is so humbling and so beautiful. The women in my family were definitely more responsive than the men!” Cyclist Sarah, meanwhile, is taking on the challenge after retiring from competitions, and reckons the dancefloor is scarier than the velodrome. She said: “Every time I’ve competed for gold I’ve had years of prep behind me. Now I’m completely out my comfort zone. I’ll be on national TV doing a competition I know nothing about! “But that’s one of the reasons I am so excited, too.” While some celebs will fear tongue-lashing from tough judge Craig, Sarah is more worried about someone closer to home. The mum-of-two said: “My daughter is a talented dancer and ballerina. I’ll be getting the most honest and brutal feedback!” Former Chelsea and Man City winger Shaun, meanwhile, will be following in the Strictly footsteps of football including Tony Adams and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. He said: “Family and friends will have seen me dance at parties. This will be the first time they’ve seen me dance sober! “All of a sudden my inbox was filled with them trying to get their live show ticket orders in!” Shaun may already have an advantage in the contest as he’s friends with last year’s winner, football pundit Karen Carney. He said: “She told me to just dive straight into it and don’t hold back, so I’ll take that advice. I’m going to go for it.” Karen will will perform on he opening show with her former professional partner Carlos Gu. WATCH Strictly on BBC One from 7.25pm on Saturday September 19 and on iPlayer. Comment now